Clasp



Patented June 18, 1940 I I UNITED STATES, PATENT FFICE CLASP Emil Haeffner, Newark, N. J., assignor to Gemex Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 21, 1938, Serial No. 209,348

8 Claims. (Cl. 24-241) This invention relates to bracelet connector ture that the number of manual operations necconstruction, and more particularly to a clasp essary to effect a secure connection of the bracefor securing together the ends of a wrist watch let ends be as few as possible. Therein lies bracelet or the like. another deficiency of the known clasps. It is One of the objects of this invention is to proaccordingly another object of this invention to .5

vide a clasp for connecting bracelet ends which provide a clasp for connecting bracelet ends is simple and inexpensive in construction, and which obviates the above difficulties in a thordurable and sturdy over a period of extended oughly practical and efficient manner,-

use. Another object is to provide a device of the Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, a

above nature which is simple to operate in either bracelet generally indicated at 10 includes a pair 10 opening or closing direction, and which securely of end links H and i2 or the like, which may connects the brac'let ends and holds them conbe of any suitable form, and including mechanism nected against inadvertent separation. Other capable of securely clasping and holding the objects will be in part apparent and in part ends of the bracelet cord l3. End link H inpointed out hereinafter. eludes an extension M, which forms the body The invention accordingly consists in the ieaportion of my connector clasp, generally indicated tures of construction, combinations of elements, at I 5. End link l2 also includes an extension l6, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified which with a cross bar or coupling l1 frames an in the structure to be hereinafter described and opening It in the end of the link. Clasp I5 inthe scope of the application of which will be includes a pivoted cover or catch it! which when 20 dicated in the following claims. in its open position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, In the drawings, in which is shown one of the may be threaded through opening l8 (Figure 1) embodiments of my invention, to permit the positioning of coupling l1 within Figure 1 is a perspective view of the clasp the clasp. Cover l9 may then be swung to its L.) connecting the ends of a bracelet; closed position, thus securing coupling l1 within Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the clasp the clasp and securely connecting bracelet links in open position; II and I2, as will be pointed out in greater de- Figure 3 is a section similar to that in Figure tail hereinbelow. 2 showing the clasp in a closed position; Referring to Figure 5, extension or body mem- Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 ber M has a pair of side walls 20 and 2|, in 30 of Figure 3; which are formed recesses 22, the ends 23 of body Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 member l4 carrying a pin 24 (Figure 2) which in Figure 2, one end of the bracelet not being pivotally mounts cover I 9. The top 25 of body shown; member I4 is partially cut away to provide an Figure 6 is a perspective view of the safety opening 26 therein which communicates with catch in the clasp; and, recesses 22 and receives the upper portion of a Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the safety catch. generally indicated at 27 (see also operating members of the clasp. Figure 6). Catch 21 includes a bearing portion Similar reference characters refer to similar 28 which, as is shown in Figure 2, surrounds a parts throughout the various views of the drawcross bar 29 extending between the side walls of 40 ings. body member It, thus pivotally mounting the In order that certain aspects of this invention safety catch in the body member. may be more clearly understood, it might first CatchZ'l (Figure 6) includes a hook-shaped be pointed out that one of the principal difficulties portion 30, and a finger engageable portion 3| 4,5 in securing the free ends of a bracelet together which, when the catch is operatively mounted in 5 lies in the prevention of inadvertent release of body member l4 (Figure 2), lie within opening the bracelet ends. While various devices have 26 in the top of the body member when the catch been provided tothis end, their success has been is in its open position with respect to recesses indifferent because of structural complications '22. Catch 2'! is so proportioned and installed and difiiculty of operation. Furthermore, many that when it is in its closed position, as shown in 50 of them deteriorate rapidly in use and soon fail Figure 3, it is past dead center, i. it is overin their designed function. Still others are so balanced in clockwise direction (as viewed in cumbersome and bulky that they detract from, Figure 3) so that its tendency is to move in closrather than enhance, the appearance of the ing or clockwise direction, thus preventing in- 5 bracelet. It is desirable in a device of this naadvertent counter-clockwise or opening movement, for a purpose to be pointed out hereinafter.

Safety catch 21 also includes a projection or lug 32 (Figure 2) against or on top of which the closed end 33 of a U-shaped lever 34 bears. The legs 35 (Figure '7) of U-shaped lever 34 parallel body member side walls 20 and 2| (Figure and acordingly embrace safety catch 21. The ends of lever legs 35 preferably loosely fit into a suitably formed depression 36 (Figure 3) formed in body member I4, and accordingly lever 34 fioats within the body member and may move vertically with respect thereto. As may be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the closed end 33 of the lever extends between recesses 22 when safety catch El is in its open position, and lies below the recesses 22 (Figure 3) when catch 21 is closed. As noted, the closed end 33 of the lever rests on safety catch lug 32, and for this reason is held between the recesses when the catch is open.

It may now be seen that when coupling ll of end link I2 is placed within recesses 22, it engages end 33 of lever 34. As the coupling is forced into the recesses, lever end 33 is forced against catch lug 32, causing safety catch 2! to pivot clockwise as viewed in Figure 2. The parts are so proportioned that coupling 57 is out of the path of movement of catch hook 30 when the hook starts to cross and close recesses 22, and when coupling I! is seated within the recesses, catch hook 30 completely overlies not only the recesses, but also the coupling (as shown in Figure 3). At this point it should be noted that the under side 33a of catch hook 311 is curved, and in effect is a cam surface which coacts with. coupling ll when it is sought to withdraw the coupling from recesses 22. Such attempted withdrawal forces the coupling against curved hook surface 30a, and the result is a camming action tending to force the hook clockwise, i-. e. in its closing direction of movement. It will thus appear that inadvertent displacement of coupling H from recesses 22 is virtually impossible by reason of the overbalanced condition of the catch when it is closed, and also by reason of the camming action between the catch hook and the coupling.

When it is desired to open the hook, all that is necessary is to swing the hook in counter-clockwise direction (Figure 2) by engaging catch finger piece 3! with. the finger nail.

In operation, and assuming that clasp I5 is in the operative condition shown in Figure 2, i. e., the clasp is open, cover l8 may be threaded through the end of bracelet link l2 to position coupling within recesses 22. When so placed, the coupling bears against lever end 33 forcing it downwardly against catch lug 32, and swinging the catch in clockwise direction. When the coupling is seated in recesses 22, catch 21 is completely closed, i. e., it overlies recess 22 and coupling in an over-balanced position with respect to its pivotal axis. The catch cannot be swung from this position, as noted above, and accordipgh' coupling ii and end link .12 are firmly connected to end link H and maintained in that condition against inadvertent release. After the safety catch. 2"! has been closed, cover l9 may be pivoted counter-clockwise, as viewed in Figure 3. until its depending end [9a, which carries a detent I5 2, engages a knob or the like 31 on the rear of body portion M. Detent 191) may be sprung over knob 31, thus frictionally holding cover H? in a position overlying recesses 22, coupling i8 and safety catch 21. Cover l9 also has a finger piece 39 under which the finger nail may be inserted when the cover is closed to swing the cover to the open position shown in Figure 3. It accordingly follows that when cover [9 is closed, coupling IT is held within recesses 22 not only by safety catch 21, but also by the cover. Preferably cover i9 is recessed at 38 to provide ample clearance for catch hook 30 and catch finger piece 3|.

If by any reason safety catch 21 (Figure 3) should be in its closed position when it is desired to position coupling ll within recesses 22, it is unnecessary to manually open the safety catch. The catch may readily be pivoted in opening direction by pressing coupling ll against catch hook 3!). This swings the hook far enough open to prevent entry of the coupling into recesses 22. Finally, it is noted that closing operation of safety catch 27 (Figures 2 and 3) is positively and automatically effected by reason of the peculiar relationship of the various parts, and in the minimizing of the operative movements thereof, wear of the parts is greatly reduced.

Thus I have provided a clasp for securing the ends of a bracelet together, which fulfills the various objects set forth hereinabove in a thoroughly practical manner.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a device of the nature described, in combination, a body member having a recess adapted to receive a coupling, a catch pivotally mounted in said body member and movable between open and closed positions, said catch having a hookshaped portion adapted to overlie the coupling when in said recess to retain the coupling therewithin, said catch being substantially past dead center when in its closed position, whereby inadvertent pivotal opening movement of the catch is prevented, said hook-shaped portion comprising a cam surface which coacts with said coupling upon movement of said coupling out of said recess to bias said catch in closing direction, and a cover for said body member.

2. In a device of the nature described, in combination, a body member having a recess adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a catch pivotally mounted in said body member and movable between open and closed position with respect to said coupling when in said recess, a U-shaped part disposed within said body member embracing said catch and having its closed end adjacent said recess, said catch also having a portion underlying the closed end of said Ushaped part and adapted to be engaged thereby upon insertion of said coupling into said recess, whereby as said coupling is placed in said recess the closed end of said part moves against said portion of said catch to swing said catch into its closed position to maintain said coupling in said recess, and a cover member operatively attached to said body member and closable to a position overlying said coupling, said recess and said catch.

3. In a bracelet end connector, in combination, a box-shaped body member adapted to be attached to one end of a bracelet, said body memher having a fiat bottom portion and flat side walls extending at right angles therefrom, a top portion connecting said side walls, a catch, means for pivotally connecting said catch to said body in said recess when the catch is in its release" member, said side walls having aligned open slots formed therein extending from the top toward the bottom thereof and adapted to re ceive a coupling attached to the other end of the bracelet, and means in said body member coacting with said catch and coupling when the coupling is placed in said notches for moving said catch to a closed. position over said coupling to hold said coupling in said notches.

4. In a bracelet end connector, in combination, a box-shaped body member adapted to be attached to one end of a bracelet, said body member having a flat bottom portion and flat side walls extending at right angles therefrom, a top portion connecting said side walls, a catch, means for pivotally connecting said catch to said body member in the plane of said bottom portion, said side walls having aligned open slots formed therein extending from the top toward the bottom thereof and adapted to receive a coupling, and means in said body member coacting with said I catch and coupling only when a coupling is placed in said notches for moving said catch to a position over said coupling to hold said coupling in said notches.

5. In a bracelet end connector, in combination, a body member including side walls having aligned slots formed therein adapted to receive a coupling or the like, a catch pivotally mounted in said body member and movable between releasing and retaining positions with respect to said coupling when the coupling is in said notches, and a control part movably mounted in said body member having a portion extending above the bottoms of the notches when said catch is in its release position, said portion being engageable by the coupling when it is placed in said notches, said catch including a portion engaged by said control part whereby upon movement of said control part downwardly of said notches said catch is moved to its retaining position.

6. In a bracelet end connector, in combination, a body member adapted to be attached to one end of a bracelet and having a recess adapted to receive a coupling connected to the other end of the bracelet, a catch pivotally mounted on said body member and having a leg portion on one side of its pivotal axis shaped to move over said recess when said catch is in its retaining position with respect to said coupling, means associated with said catch on the other side of its pivotal axis and including a part which lies withposition, whereby said part may be engaged by the coupling when the coupling is placed in the recess to pivot said catch to said retaining position, and a closure member pivotally mounted on said body member and pivotable into a closed position over said catch and said recess.

7. In a bracelet end connector, in combination, a body member adapted to be attached to one end of a bracelet and having a recess adapted to receive a coupling connected to the other end of the bracelet, a catch pivotally mounted on said body member and having a leg' portion on one side of its pivotal axis shaped to move over said recess when said catch is in its retaining position with respect to said coupling, means associated. with said catch on the other side of its pivotal axis and having a portion which lies within said recess when the catch is in its release position, whereby said last-mentioned portion may be engaged by the coupling when the coupling is placed in the recess to pivot said catch to said retaining position, a finger piece on said catch engageable for manual operation of the catch, and a closure member pivotally mounted on said body member and pivotable into a closed position over said catch and said recess.

8. In a bracelet end connector, in combination, a body member adapted to be attached to one end of a bracelet, said body member including parallel side walls having aligned slots formed therein adapted to receive a coupling connected to the other end of the bracelet, a U-shaped catch, means pivotally mounting said catch between its legs on said body member, the catch leg on one side of the pivotal axis of the catch being shaped to move between said slots when said catch is in its retaining position with respect to said coupling, the catch leg on the other side of the pivotal axis of the catch being shaped to extend in the vicinity of the bottom of said slots, means associated with said last-mentioned catch leg and lying above the bottoms of said slots when the catch is in its release position, whereby said means may be engaged by the coupling when the coupling is placed in the recess to pivot said catch to move its first-mentioned leg into coupling retaining position, and a closure member pivotally mounted on said body member and pivotable into a closed position over said catch and recess,

EMIL HAEFFNE-R! 

